Video: Every Case Tells a Story| Webinar: ACR/CHEST ILD Guidelines in Practice

An official publication of the ACR and the ARP serving rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals

Audioconference on Emergency Situations

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Patient and staff education is the key to effectively handling emergencies and flares in rheumatic disease,” says Gail McIlvain-Simpson, MSN, RN, CS, an advanced practice nurse at Al DuPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Del.

New and Updated Patient Education Materials Available

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The ACR is continually updating and increasing its collection of patient education materials, or fact sheets. One of the newest fact sheets, “Pregnancy and Rheumatic Disease,” discusses the complex interactions of pregnancy and rheumatic diseases, acceptable medications to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding and helps to define what constitutes a high-risk pregnancy. The fact sheet offers links to additional resources and educational materials.

Zero Stars for Star-based Physician Ranking

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Several insurance companies have tried to share quality information with enrollees by developing “star” systems to rank physicians. While star rankings may be a good way to pick a movie or restaurant, the ACR feels this system may be too simple to serve as a tool for identifying quality healthcare. Consumers need quality information, and need to know the true costs of medical services so they can make informed decisions about their healthcare. This idea is reflected in an executive order President Bush signed in August 2006 requiring government agencies to work with the private sector to gather and share data on the quality and cost of healthcare.

In the Car with ACR

Marian T. Hannan, DSc, MPH  |  

A former ARHP president reminisces about her roadtrip in the organization

Reading Rheum

David G. Borenstein, MD;Robyn T. Domsic, MD; Daniel Hal Solomon, MD, MPH  |  

Handpicked Reviews of Contemporary Literature